SMART Technologies, the Calgary-based company that pioneered the interactive whiteboard, is making its most aggressive push yet to displace the traditional dry erase board from K-12 classrooms. With the launch of its latest SMART Board interactive display series, the company is betting that the era of markers and erasers is finally coming to an end.
What Is New
The new SMART Board 800 series builds on the company's existing product line with several significant upgrades. The most notable is multi-touch support for up to four simultaneous users. In practical terms, this means four students can write, draw, or interact with content on the board at the same time. For collaborative activities, this is a meaningful step forward from earlier models that supported only one or two touch points.
The displays also feature improved pen and finger recognition. The system can distinguish between a pen tool, a finger touch, and an eraser gesture without requiring the user to switch modes manually. SMART calls this the "pen, touch, eraser" differentiation, and it makes the board feel more natural and responsive than previous generations.
On the software side, SMART Notebook, the company's lesson-building application, has been updated with new content libraries, improved multimedia support, and tighter integration with third-party tools like Google and YouTube. Teachers can pull in web content, embed videos, and create interactive activities without leaving the Notebook environment.
The Case Against the Dry Erase Board
SMART's argument is straightforward: the dry erase board is a one-dimensional tool in a multimedia world. You can write on it, and you can erase it. That is the full extent of its capability.
An interactive display, by contrast, can show video, run simulations, display interactive maps, present student work from connected devices, and record everything that happens on the board for later review. Lessons can be saved, shared, and reused. Students who were absent can watch a recording of the board session. Content can be annotated, manipulated, and explored in ways that a static whiteboard simply cannot support.
For school IT administrators evaluating the purchase, the question is whether these capabilities justify the price difference. A standard dry erase board costs a few hundred dollars and requires no electricity, no software updates, and no technical support. A SMART Board 800 series starts at approximately $3,000 for the board alone, plus the cost of a projector, mounting hardware, and software licensing.
Adoption Trends in K-12
Despite the cost, interactive whiteboards have been steadily gaining ground in K-12 classrooms. According to industry estimates, more than 60 percent of U.S. classrooms now have some form of interactive display technology, though the definition varies widely. SMART Technologies holds the largest market share, followed by Promethean, Epson, and several smaller competitors.
Federal stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) accelerated adoption significantly. Many districts used ARRA funds to outfit entire buildings with interactive displays in 2009 and 2010. As those early installations age, districts are now facing refresh decisions and evaluating whether to stay with SMART or consider alternatives.
The Competition
SMART no longer has the interactive display market to itself. Promethean's ActivBoard has a loyal following, particularly in districts that prefer its ActivInspire software. Epson has entered the market with ultra-short-throw interactive projectors that turn any flat surface into a touchable display at a lower price point than a dedicated interactive board.
Perhaps the most significant competitive threat comes from interactive flat panel displays (IFPDs) from companies like ViewSonic, BenQ, and Newline. These large-format touchscreen monitors do not require a projector, offer better image quality, and have lower maintenance costs since there are no lamps to replace. Their prices have dropped significantly over the past two years, making them increasingly competitive with traditional interactive whiteboard and projector combinations.
SMART has responded with its own flat panel offerings, but the company's core business remains the projector-based interactive whiteboard.
What IT Leaders Should Consider
Before committing to a large-scale interactive display purchase, districts should evaluate several factors beyond the hardware itself.
Total cost of ownership. Factor in projector lamp replacements, software licensing, mounting and installation, and the professional development needed to ensure teachers actually use the technology effectively. A board that sits unused is the most expensive board of all.
Teacher readiness. The best interactive display in the world adds no value if the teacher uses it only as a projection screen. Survey your teaching staff to understand their current comfort level with interactive technology and plan accordingly.
Longevity. Interactive display technology is evolving quickly. A purchase made today should be viable for at least five to seven years. Consider whether the platform you choose will continue to receive software updates and vendor support over that timeframe.
Integration. Does the display work with your existing devices and software? Can it connect to student tablets and laptops? Does it support the file formats and web tools your teachers already use?
The Bigger Picture
SMART Technologies is right that the dry erase board is a limited tool. But replacing it is not just a purchasing decision. It is a commitment to training, support, and a vision for how technology should function in the classroom. Districts that approach interactive displays as a strategic investment rather than a hardware upgrade will get far more value from the technology.